On Wednesday, January 17th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Baltimore seized over 2,900 stainless sinks for displaying a counterfeit UPC shield design on the 17th.

CBP initially detained the shipment for anti-dumping and countervailing duties enforcement and during their examination found the UPC shield logo. In addition to looking for shipments subject to ADD/CVD duties, CBP also enforces the intellectual property rights of trademark holders, among others.

CBP and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) specialists sent the UPC shield logo to the registered trademark holder, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the registered trademark holder, who determined the use of the logo to be unauthorized.

As the marks were unauthorized, CBP seized the entire shipment for containing markings without trademark holder’s authorization (19 CFR 133.21).

The full release can be found here: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/baltimore-cbp-seizes-1m-counterfeit-stainless-steel-sinks

If you or anyone you know has had any property seized by customs for suspected intellectual property rights violations, please contact your trade and customs law attorney, David Hsu at 832.896.6288 or attorney.dave@yahoo.com.